d the lieutenant into the
cottage.

"I have a great deal to say to you, Mrs Hadden, and so I hope that you
will hear me patiently," said the lieutenant, sitting down in the chair
John Hadden used to occupy. "First, I must tell you that I am going
away to sea. I have a mother who is a great invalid, and requires the
constant attendance of a sensible, good-tempered Christian woman who can
read to her, and talk and amuse her. I know no person so well qualified
for the post as you are. My sister, who lives with her, thinks so
likewise, and will be most thankful to have your assistance. In this
way, if you will accept our offer, you yourself will be well provided
for. Now, with regard to little Ben. Selling fish is a very
respectable occupation, but not a very profitable one, I suspect, from
what I can hear, and I think that your son is fitted for something
better. To be sure, he may some day become a full-grown fishmonger, but
that can only be some years hence; and, from what he has told me, I find
that he has a strong wish to go to sea, though, unless you were
comfortably provided for, nothing would tempt him to leave you. Now you
see my plan: you shall take care of my mother, and I will take care of
your son. What do you say to it?"

"That I am most grateful to you for your kindness, sir," answered the
widow in a trembling voice; "thus much I can say at once; but I am sure
that you will excuse me for not giving a decided answer immediately. I
should wish to lay the matter before God in prayer, and Ben and I will
go over to-morrow morning to give you our reply, if you can kindly wait
so long. I wish to do what is right; but ah, sir, it is a hard thing to
have to part from my only boy, after having lost so many!"

"Though my time is short before I must join my ship, of which I am first
lieutenant, and I am much hurried, I will gladly wait till to-morrow
morning, that you may decide for the best," answered the lieutenant. "I
shall not be, I hope, less your friend, though you may differ in opinion
with me and decline my offer." The kind officer, however, before he
took his departure, told Mrs Hadden, in case she should give Ben leave
to accompany him, what preparations she should make for him, saying that
all expenses would be borne by the friends who wished to serve her. He
assured her that Ben would be well treated, and would probably find many
good men on board ship, who would support him in doing right, t